Ahead of Lee summit, Trump says there seems to be a ‘purge or revolution’ in South Korea

WASHINGTON — Hours ahead of a high-stakes summit with President Lee Jae Myung on August 25, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on social media that a “purge or revolution” is going on in South Korea.

Trump wrote on Truth Social ahead of meeting Lee at the White House, “WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? Seems like a Purge or Revolution. We can’t have that and do business there. I am seeing the new President today at the White House. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!”

It wasn’t immediately clear what Trump referred to, though he could have been referring to ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol’s botched declaration of martial law in December 2024. Yoon was in turn impeached, removed from power and detained. Consequently, a snap presidential election in June resulted in President Lee taking office.

Seoul officials were unable to immediately comment on Trump’s post.  A Korean presidential spokesperson said the presidential office is “checking the situation.”

Lee and Trump were set to hold their first bilateral summit at the White House around noon on August 25, followed by a working lunch.

The summit came to fruition after Seoul and Washington agreed on a trade deal at the end of July that set tariffs on Korean exports to the United States at 15 percent, lower than the announced 25 percent.

When asked about the social media post, Trump told reporters at the Oval Office during a press availability that he heard about “very vicious raids on churches by the new government in South Korea.”

He said “they even went into our military base and got information,” and that he has “heard bad things,” adding he “won’t stand for that.”

Trump said he doesn’t know if “it’s true or not” but will be “finding out” soon.

Trump said he will be meeting with the new Korean president “in just a couple of hours, adding, “I look forward to meeting him.”

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]